Tony Blair praised the children's courage

The couple joined other "British heroes", who were chosen for their remarkable courage, compassion or outstanding personal achievement.

The Prince of Wales, who was unable to attend the event at the Hilton Hotel in Park Lane, described the event as a "marvellous celebration of individual courage, determination and achievement" in a pre-recorded message which was screened to the winners and guests.

Prince's Trust award

Matthew Graffham, 20, was the winner of the first Prince's Trust Young Achiever Award.

With help from the Prince's Trust, Matthew, from Canterbury, Kent, turned his life around after falling into petty crime and drug addiction when he was homeless.

He was offered the chance to rebuild his life through a Prince's Trust development programme and now teaches juggling at workshops for disadvantaged young people.

The Prince said: "Matthew's achievements are outstanding.

"His perseverance, creativity and good humour shine through.

"He is a wonderful example of what my Trust is all about and I could not be more proud of him."

Presenting the award to Matthew today on behalf of the Prince was former Spice Girl and Prince's Trust ambassador Geri Halliwell.

Also picking up awards were record-breaking round-the-world yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur and Paralympics wheelchair racing champion Tanni Grey-Thompson.

Geri Halliwell presented Prince's award

The star-studded event, hosted by TV presenter Carol Vorderman, also saw Olympic gold medallist Sir Steve Redgrave crowned sportsperson of the year.

Prime Minister Tony Blair and wife Cherie rubbed shoulders with a host of celebrities, including singer Robbie Williams.

The Beyond the Call of Duty award went to two policemen, PCs Daran Gagin and Ian Thomson.

They rescued a would-be suicide victim by clinging on to him for 20 minutes while suspended from a signal gantry above a railway track, until he gave in to their pleas.

Good neighbour

Among the Children of Courage winners was three-year-old Connor Carr, who remembered what he saw on the BBC's Casualty series and called the emergency services when his mother suffered an epileptic fit.

Neighbour of the Year award went to Norah Peyton, a 79-year-old great-grandmother who was abused, threatened and even shot at, in her efforts to rid her estate of drug pushers.

The winners were chosen from thousands of nominations from Mirror readers and viewers of ITV's This Morning and GMTV programmes.

Judges included Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson, Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis and This Morning presenters Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan.